Coupling device for road forms



Aug. 8, 1933. H. E, HOLFORD COUPLING DEVICE FOR ROAD FORMS Filed May 25. 1931 INVEN TOR. fi l/Pf) 5 Haz. Fry/P A TTO NEY.

Patented Aug. 8, 1933 to Binghamton Foundry & Machine Co. Inc, Binghamton, N. Y., a Corporation of New York Application -May 25,1931. Serial No. 539,862

2 Claims.

My invention relates to a coupling device for road. forms and hasfor its primary object the a coupling which is extremely simple in operation and provided with a securing means for rigidly locking the coupling in rail joining position but permitting ready uncoupling for dismantling.

A further object of my invention is to provide a coupling in which the adjacent or joining ends of the forms are cut on a bias whereby the assembly thereof is facilitated.

Other objects and advantages in details of construction and arrangement of parts will be apparent as the description proceeds, reference now being had to the figures of the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a detail side elevation illustrating my improved coupling in secured position, certain parts being broken away for clearness of illustration.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

The reference characters 1 and 2 refer generaliy to adjacent ends of sections of metal road forms such as used in the construction of concrete highways, sidewalks, and the like, the use of such sections being well known in the art and requiring no detailed description. Suirice it to say, that these sections are laid end to end and in proper parallel alignment for the purpose of defining the shoulders of the roadway, the road material being filled between the rails or forms and properly processed until the cement or other material has been set, whereupon the form sections are disconnected and re-assembled for use on the next strip of road to be built.

The rails or forms are of the general shape and type shown in section in Figure 2 and comprising the bottom flange 3, the vertical web portion a, the top horizontal flange 5, and the vertical depending flange 6, extending downwardly from the top.

In accordance with my invention the ends of the rail sections to be joined are cut on an angle as at '7, such as from a point even with the lower edge of the dependingflange 6, to the bottom Q flange 3. provision of a coupling which tends to insure Suitably secured to the end of the rail section 1 and conforming to the flanged configuration thereof, is an anchor plate member 8 having-a bottom flange 9 and a downwardly depending flange 10, said plate and its flanges fitting closely within the flanges of therail section land heingsuitably rigidly secured thereto as by riveting, welding or otherwise. i Y '1 The outer edge of this anchor plate member 8 extends beyond the angular end of the rail section 1 as shown clearly in Figure 1, except at the lower edge of the rail section where the anchor plate 8 falls short of such angle end. 7 This is illustrated clearly at 11 in Figure ,1.

Consequently at the upper edge of the assembly the anchor plate 8 projects beyond theangular end of the section whereas at the lower edge such plate falls substantially short of such angular end.

The end of the section 2 is likewise provided with an anchor plate 12 conforming to the flanged shape of the section 2 and provided with the bottom flange 13, the upper horizontal flange 14, and the upper depending vertical flange 15. This plate 13 is likewise rigidly secured to the end of the rail section 2 and the upper portion of this plate 12 is spaced substantially inwardly from'the angular end of the section whereas the lower portion or" the plate extends beyond the lower angular portion of the rail section as at 16.

By-means of this construction, when the adjacent ends of the sections 1 and 2 are to be joined, the section 2 may be lowered into abutting position with the end of section 1, assuming section 1 to be placed and. fixed in proper position, in which position it will be noted that the upper flanges 5 and 6 of the rail section 2 195 hook directly over the corresponding upper flanges of the anchor plate 8 which project beyond the end of the section 1. Likewise the lower flange 13 of the plate 12 overlies and rests upon the bottom flange 3 of the section 1. The angular end portions of the sections 1 and 2 are thus brought into direct abutting engagement. By this simple arrangement the rail sections may be carried to assembly position and lowered directly into proper engagement with the adjacent rail section.

It maybe noted here that the anchor plates 8 and 12 in addition to providing a fastening means for the rail sections serve as reinforcing means for the sections at these points.

tion of the lug 17. The lower end of the hook member is provided with a .latera1ly;.projecting lug 22 providing a manipulating member where-V,

by the hook may be driven'intof'lockingjfrictional engagement with the lug .17. I

The shape of the locking portion of the hook is such with respect to the angular disposition of the lug 17 that .a relatively longlocking surface is provided and of such characterthat when the hook is driven to locking position the ad- ;jacent ends of the rail sections 1 .and 2 .are automatically brought to proper alignment, in which position they are rigidly .secured -until .it .iszdesiredx-to. again dismantlethe rail sections.

.-For..suoh vdismantling it I is necessary merely to .drive the hook;member:out. of;1ocln'ng engage- -mentz-whereupontherail section 2 may be lifted vertically free ofithesection 1. I

1 havethus provided a novel, ;simp1e,;and: rigid coupling means for joining the ends of, road rail :.or' form sections, having no loose. parts to begcarried with the rail sections and which may be quickly and easily operated to provide a properly aligned form or rail.

Of course, changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe. spirit. and scope of my invention. I do not limit myself, therefore,ito the exact form herein shown and described other "than'by' the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A road form comprising rail sections .adapted fOr end;to end coupling, the abutting ends-of said sections being formed on a bias longitudinally. of the sections, and means on the abuttingendS of said sections for drawing said sections into alignment and for locking them in such position, said means comprising a lug on one of said ends and a hook on the other of saidcends for locking engagement with said lug.

2, A road form comprising a rail section having an end formed on a bias for. abutting. engage- :ment' with a. similarly. but: oppositely formed: end -of. .a.-.sec ond;:section, .anchor plates fixed to :the

abuttingendsof said sectionsand having portions projecting beyond said ends:for .interen- .gagement when .said sections .are joined a-lug carriediby. one of said plates .and a: hook. carried .by thQzOthBl adapted .for locking engagement with said lug whereby said sections may-bese- -cured.together in aligned position.

HARRY E. HOLFORD. 

